Storage device for medical swabs

ABSTRACT

A storage device for medical swabs having an envelope for the latter is characterized in that the envelope is formed by adjacently disposed chambers which are sealed bacteria-tight for the swabs, the size of the chambers being determined by the number and the size of the swabs kept in stock in each of these, and in that the envelope can be kept in stock rolled up or concertinaed.

[0001] The invention relates to a storage device for swabs, in particular sterilized medical swabs.

[0002] Medical swabs are kept in stock sterilized in a multipack. They are used singly and are taken singly from a multipack. After opening of the multipack and removal of the first swabs, the sterility of the remaining swabs in stock is no longer ensured so that they have to be resterilized. It is not possible to ensure sterility of the swabs present in a multipack once it has been opened even if the multipack is disposed in another, secondary pack.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of producing a storage device which allows single sterilized swabs to be removed while ensuring the sterility of the remaining swabs in stock in the storage device. It is an additional intention to minimize the space required for the storage device.

[0004] This object is achieved in a storage device according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1 through the characterizing features thereof.

[0005] The storage device according to the invention has an envelope consisting of single chambers, which are sealed bacteria-tight, for the swabs, which are disposed adjacently. The size of the chambers is determined by the number and the size of the swabs kept in stock in each of them, it being intended, so ensure absolute sterility, that only one swab should be kept in stock in one chamber, so that each swab can be removed sterilized from the storage device. For areas of medicine where a large number of swabs is used, the sterility of a second swab which is kept in stock and, after removal of the first swab, remains for a short time in the same chamber is likewise ensured so that it is also perfectly possible for two swabs to be kept in stock in one chamber in a storage device for swabs used in such areas. The envelope must be sufficiently flexible that it can be kept in stock rolled up or concertinaed.

[0006] To this end, the envelope can consist of a flexible base layer and of a flexible covering layer bonded thereto, and one of these layers has areas of convexity relative to the other layer to form the chambers.

[0007] It is possible to provide strips intended to be torn through between the chambers in order to facilitate removal of a swab from the storage device and in order to improve overall the convenience of using the latter.

[0008] The chambers can be provided in a row or in several parallel rows and, in order to save space, the chambers in adjacent rows can be disposed offset relative to one another in order to minimize the spaces between.

[0009] The chambers can be formed in a simple manner by receiving depressions in the base layers which are covered by the covering layer. It is also possible, moreover, for each receiving depression to be sealed by an isolated covering layer.

[0010] The receiving depressions can moreover be produced by a thermoforming process, and the disposition of the covering layer or of the individual covering layers can take place by welding or sealing in order to produce integral bonding between the layers.

[0011] To facilitate opening of the chambers, they can be provided with aids to opening known to a skilled person. The convenience of use of the storage device according to the invention can be considerably improved by it being disposed rolled up or concertinaed in a dispenser in the form of a secondary pack which has a removal opening for one or, where appropriate, more than one chambers disposed side by side. The dispenser can be used in the vertical or horizontal position.

[0012] The invention is explained hereinafter by means of an exemplary embodiment. The relevant drawing shows:

[0013]FIG. 1: a section through a portion of a storage device according to the invention and

[0014]FIG. 2: a perspective view of the storage device.

[0015] The storage device depicted in section in FIG. 1 has an envelope 3 which consists of a flexible base layer 1 made of polyamide/polyethylene and a flexible covering layer 2 (made of sterilization kraft paper), and which is provided with chambers 4 each for one swab 5. The chambers 4 are formed by the receiving depressions 6 provided in the base layer 1 and by the covering layer 2 disposed on top of these, and are sealed by this base layer 1 in the areas between the receiving depressions 6. This means that the swabs 5 kept in stock in the chambers 4 are sealed bacteria-tight. The welding points are provided simultaneously as points 7 intended to be torn through, with reduced thickness of the covering layer. The chambers 4 are disposed one after the other in a row.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows the storage device with envelope 3 rolled up. A dispenser 8 is indicated by dashed lines, and it surrounds the rolled-up envelope 3 and has a removal opening 9 through which the envelope 3 can be pulled and divided into single chambers at the strips 7 intended to be torn through. The chambers 4 are opened by pressing a finger on the covering layer, causing it to tear inwards. 

1. Storage device for medical swabs having an envelope for the latter, characterized in that the envelope is formed by adjacently disposed chambers, which are sealed bacteria-tight, for the swabs, the size of the chambers being determined by the number and the size of the swabs kept in stock in each of these, and in that the envelope can be kept in stock rolled up or concertinaed.
 2. Storage device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the envelope has a flexible base layer and a flexible covering layer bonded to the latter, and in that the chambers are formed by areas spaced apart in one of the two layers, which areas are convex relative to the other layer.
 3. Storage device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that strips intended to be torn through are provided between the chambers.
 4. Storage device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chambers are disposed in a row or in several parallel rows.
 5. Storage device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the chambers are formed by receiving depressions which are provided in the base layer and which are sealed by the covering layer.
 6. Storage device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chambers are equipped with an aid to opening.
 7. Storage device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the envelope is disposed rolled up or concertinaed in a dispenser with a removal opening in the form of a secondary pack. 